by Sue Lyndon
“Do you like being an ambassador?” she asked.
“It is the job I’ve been ordered to do.”
“Yes, but, do you like it?” Curiosity tinged her voice and she cast a brief glance at him, her wavy golden locks gliding over his chest with the movement.
“I like helping my people,” he replied honestly, “though sometimes my position as ambassador requires tasks that I find uncomfortable. Socializing and attending gatherings, for instance. Your Leaders insisted I take a tour of New Leesburg with them and attend a banquet today. I would’ve preferred—”
“Solitude?”
He froze and looked at her, once more stunned by her insight. For the first time in forever, he felt as though someone understood him. He gulped past the sudden dryness in his mouth and nodded, even though she was no longer looking at him. “Yes, solitude.”
He changed the topic to Caylee’s early years in the dome-city and they continued speaking into the early hours of the morning. Occasionally, he shared pieces of his own childhood with her, though he still felt guarded about his past. She knew he didn’t live in his family’s compound, but he hadn’t told her outright that he had little contact with his family.
What would she think if she learned he’d gone years without even visiting them?
There was a sweetness to her that roused him, an innocence that he wanted to protect. He didn’t wish for her to know the reasons he rarely spoke to his family, the lies he’d witnessed pass between various family members. He didn’t want her pity, and just because they were now married didn’t mean she had to know everything about him.
After a while, another period of silence fell. It was a comfortable silence, however, and he enjoyed holding her in his arms. He eventually shifted upward and arranged her so that she was cradled on his lap. She blinked at him, wide-eyed, and her breath hitched.
When her lips parted slightly, he couldn’t resist the sweet temptation. He leaned down and pressed his mouth to hers, kissing her thoroughly as he slipped a hand between her thighs.
He claimed her a third time before allowing her to sleep. Then he remained awake for some time after, simply staring at her while she rested. He’d never imagined that when he finally took a bride, he would enjoy watching the human woman sleep.
Perhaps it was the newness of their mating union, but everything about Caylee fascinated him and he wanted to savor every moment in her presence.
He settled his face against her hair, kissing the top of her head. At last, he drifted off, holding his small human bride, a deep sense of contentment pulling him to sleep.
Chapter 17
Nerves curled in Caylee’s stomach. She walked quietly beside Kazzon as they headed for her childhood home. It was early and the streets were still empty. Kazzon had insisted they leave his ship before the inhabitants of New Leesburg roused for the day. He had a meeting scheduled with the Leaders this morning and wanted to escort her to her family’s home on his way there.
The plan was for her to spend the day saying her goodbyes to her family and friends, as well as pack any belongings she wished to bring to Tarrkua, while he continued to renegotiate the treaty.
Would her parents take a personal day from work in order to spend the whole day with her? Would her brother skip school and do the same?
Her nervousness increased as they approached Beck Street, where her family lived. Her childhood home soon came into sight, a small blue house with white shutters. Kazzon squeezed her hand and shot her an inquisitive look.
“Which house?” he asked.
She pointed ahead. Mixed emotions sped through her when she imagined entering the house, calling out for her parents and brother, then introducing them to Kazzon.
I’ll get to come back. At least once a year.
This reminder lifted some of her unease. It wasn’t as though she would never see her family in person again. She wasn’t abandoning them entirely, and Kazzon had promised to allow her to use a video comm to speak with them frequently. They could remain a part of one another’s lives.
Just as Kazzon guided Caylee up the walkway toward the blue house, movement caught her eye to the right. She glanced over and spotted a figure crawling out of an upper window. Once that figure finished shimmying down the side of the house and he straightened, she froze and could only stare.
“Dad,” she whispered.
Kazzon glanced at her. “Why is your father crawling out of the window of another house?”
Caylee’s face heated and disappointment rolled through her. She opened her mouth to reply but couldn’t find the words.
Her father stood completely still, his eyes wide as he peered back at them through the dim morning light. The streetlamps were gradually glowing brighter, a gentle increase of illumination that always began at six a.m. sharp.
“Caylee,” her father said, finally walking closer. His shoulders were hunched, guilt written on his face.
Good. He ought to feel guilty. Caylee hadn’t even known he had a thing for Amelia, the young widow who lived next door. She’d thought he was still sneaking around with Carol, yet another neighborhood widow who lived across the street. Or maybe he was seeing both women. Her heart sank and she glanced up at her parents’ bedroom window.
“Mom.” Horror washed through her. Her mother stood at the window, frowning down at the entire awful scene.
“Shit.” Caylee’s father shook his head, appearing defeated. Maybe he’d never been caught in the act before. Caylee didn’t know for sure, but she knew he’d at least admitted to sleeping with Carol a few times. While her mother wasn’t completely unaware of her father’s philandering ways, seeing him in the act no doubt caused her pain.
Suddenly, her father’s expression changed, and he stared directly at Kazzon.
“What’s going on, honey? Why are you here so early and what are you doing with this Tarrkuan?” His gaze dropped and his eyes widened further. Kazzon still had a firm grip on her hand. “Why-why are you holding hands? What has happened?”
Before Caylee could answer, she heard the familiar creak of the front door opening. A glance over her shoulder showed her mother had come to join them. She wore a huge robe over her nightgown and walked down the steps, her arms crossed over her chest. She glared at her husband before turning a surprised gaze on Caylee and Kazzon.
Shame burned through Caylee, even though logically she knew she hadn’t done anything wrong. She wished she’d walked down the street a minute later, then Kazzon wouldn’t have witnessed the evidence of her family’s dysfunction. Talk about awkward and embarrassing.
Would Kazzon worry she was too much like her parents? Would he become distrustful of her and worry she might cheat on him? Her stomach roiled at the thought. Even though she didn’t know Kazzon very well yet, she knew all too well the pain her mother had endured over the years. Caylee wouldn’t inflict that sort of harm on another person, not even the Tarrkuan who’d forced her to marry him.
“Caylee, darling?” Her mother shot a confused glance at Kazzon. “What in the world has happened? Who is that Tarrkuan and why are you holding his hand?”
Kazzon cleared his throat and stepped toward her mother. He released Caylee and held out his hand. “Good morning. I am Kazzon, Ambassador to Earth. I am also your daughter’s new husband. We have come here this morning so that I might meet both you and your husband, as well as inform you of our mating union—one that’s already been blessed and consummated.”
Caylee’s mother shook Kazzon’s hand as her eyes filled with disbelief.
“But… how? Caylee, darling, you… I mean Julie, Julie darling, what are you talking about?”
Caylee almost laughed. Both her parents had already addressed her by her real name in front of Kazzon. Apparently in their surprise over this morning’s events, they’d forgotten that she went by Julie around others.
“He knows who I am, Mom,” Caylee replied. “He knows everything. Look, I’ll tell you what happened, but can we come inside please? Be
fore all the neighbors wake up and get nosey?” Then she remembered Kazzon’s impending meeting with the Leaders. He had to leave soon. He’d only come to meet her parents quickly, and what a first impression that was. She found herself wishing the ground would open up and swallow her whole.
“Uh, wait,” she said, turning to face her father. She noticed that Kazzon had leveled a glare of disapproval upon him. “My husband has to get to a meeting with the Leaders. But I wanted to introduce you to him first. Um, Xerr, this is my mom, Yvette, whom you’ve already met, and this is my dad, Quinton.”
Still glaring, Kazzon offered his hand to her father. They exchanged an awkward handshake and she wondered if it had something to do with her addressing Kazzon as Xerr. Her parents only knew a little of the Tarrkuan tongue, but she was certain they knew Xerr meant ‘Master.’
“Good morning, Quinton,” Kazzon said, a noticeable edge to his voice. “It’s a pleasure to meet you.” His tone indicated the meeting was anything but a pleasure.
Caylee didn’t need to possess the same sort of powers as Kazzon to know he wasn’t truly happy to meet her father, but she couldn’t exactly blame him right now. She couldn’t summon any anger over the harsh tone he’d used either.
“I’d really like to know what’s going on,” her father said.
“Yes, so would I,” her mother said with a sharp glance at her father. Clearly, she was talking about more than the huge Tarrkuan that Caylee had brought home for a meet-and-greet.
“Your daughter will explain everything to you inside,” Kazzon said. “I regret that I must leave now, but as Caylee already explained, I have a meeting with the Leaders. I will return for your daughter later in the day.”
Kazzon faced Caylee and cupped the side of her face, his visage reflecting the same tenderness as when he’d embraced her last night. Her heart fluttered at the memory. Not caring that her parents watched, he bent down to place a kiss upon her lips. His kiss and his nearness suddenly felt like an anchor in the storm that swirled around her. To her surprise, she found herself wishing he didn’t have to leave. Too soon, he broke the kiss and took a step back.
“I will see you in several hours, wife,” he said, speaking low enough that only she could hear. “Remember what we talked about.”
“Yes, Xerr. Goodbye,” Caylee whispered, her lips tingling in the aftermath of the quick, chaste kiss that had made her toes curl in her shoes.
She watched as Kazzon departed and didn’t face her parents again until he’d rounded the corner at the end of the street. When she finally looked at them, they were glaring at one another. Tension hovered in the air and a ball of dread curled in Caylee’s stomach.
She didn’t want to go inside. Not really. She had no doubt they were about to get into another one of their screaming matches.
Frustration surged through her. This might be her last day on Earth—she wasn’t certain yet because it depended on how Kazzon’s negotiations went—but it was one of her last days on her home planet. It angered her that her final goodbyes would be forever tainted by her parents’ constant fighting. She shot a glare at her father.
“Let’s all go inside,” he said with a gesture at the front door.
Mom shook her head. “I don’t think so. You don’t live here anymore,” she said. “I gave you one last chance, you sonofabitch, and you blew it. I told you if I caught you again, I’d kick you out. You can go live with Carol or that whore next door.”
“I tried to make things right with you, Yvette, but you keep giving me the fucking silent treatment. How do you think that makes me feel when my own wife won’t talk to me? Maybe if you—”
“Mom, Dad, please,” Caylee interrupted, sadness filling her, as well as fatigue. A few minutes around her parents and she was suddenly mentally and physically exhausted. “This might be my last day on Earth and I’d like to say goodbye to you guys and explain everything that’s happened. Can you hold off on the fighting until I leave? Please?” She blinked rapidly, trying to hold back her tears.
“Of course, darling,” her mother said after a moment. She aimed a comforting smile at Caylee. “Come inside. Both of you, I suppose.”
Chapter 18
A sense of accomplishment hummed through Kazzon as he navigated the streets of New Leesburg. The Leaders had just agreed to the new terms of the treaty, and earlier than he’d anticipated, given that they’d invited him to spend several days in this dome-city enjoying their hospitality. Now he was free to leave Earth with Caylee as soon as possible.
But would his bride wish for an extra day to spend saying her goodbyes to her family and friends? His steps slowed as he considered this possibility. As the blue house on Beck Street came into view, he decided he would allow her an extra day if she wished. Perhaps even longer than that. The desire to make her happy surged through him.
The door to her family’s home opened as he approached and an anxious-looking Caylee stood in the doorway, holding a large suitcase in her hand. Apparently, she’d been watching for him. Two smaller bags rested on the floor behind her. She swallowed hard and met his gaze.
“I-I’m ready to go back to the ship.” Tears glimmered in her eyes and her lower lip trembled.
He searched her gaze, confusion falling over him. “Is something wrong, little human?” He cocked his head and listened for the sounds of footsteps or voices in the house, but he didn’t hear anything. Was Caylee here all by herself? Where had her parents gone? And what about her brother?
“Nothing’s wrong.” Black mist appeared. “Shit,” she blurted a moment later as she gestured to her head. “Well, I guess you know something is wrong, don’t you?”
He nodded, though he didn’t scold her for lying. He wasn’t completely heartless, and he sensed something other than her impending departure from Earth had pushed her to the verge of tears. He reached for her, though he kept his touch gentle.
“Has someone harmed you?” The urge to protect her and savage anyone who’d so much as insulted his bride rushed through him.
She shrugged and a lone tear trickled down her face. He wiped it away and then took the suitcase from her hand. He set it next to him and walked her further into the entryway, though he didn’t shut the door.
“Tell me what has saddened you, little human.”
“My-my parents both went to work today,” she said. “After I told them that I was your bride now and I would be leaving Earth either today or tomorrow, they still went to work. And my brother went to school too. All three of them left rather than spend the day with me.”
Kazzon gathered Caylee close and wrapped his arms around her, holding her tightly to him as he caressed her back. She sniffled and shuddered against him.
“I feel so stupid. I thought they’d want to spend the day with me, but now I’m not sure they’ll even miss me.”
“Did you stay here all day by yourself? Or did you get to visit with any of your friends?”
“I went to my house—well, Julie’s house—and packed my belongings and brought them back here. Then I said goodbye to my friends at the bakery and a few other friends who live nearby.” She pulled from his embrace and lifted her chin, a look of resolve falling over her. “I’m all finished. I’d prefer to stay on your ship for the remainder of your time in New Leesburg, if that is all right with you, Xerr.”
“I’ve finished negotiations with the Leaders,” he said. “They’ve agreed to the new terms of the treaty.”
“Good.” The look of determination in her blue eyes sharpened. “I’m ready to leave now.”
“Are you certain? Would you like a bit more time to reconsider, little human?” Despite his impatience to leave Earth, he didn’t want her to regret a hasty departure. “I am willing to give you another day if you would like, even a few more days.” Technically, he could remain here as long as he liked. Given the power his people held over all of Earth, it wasn’t as though the Leaders or Enforcers of New Leesburg could kick him out.
“I’m absolutely certa
in,” Caylee said, a tremor in her voice. “Staying longer would be painful.” No black mist appeared around her face. She spoke the truth, and the truth made his heart ache for her. He knew all too well the heavy emotional toll a family dispute or even estrangement could take, but he also knew it was impossible to force her parents and brother to treat her differently, to give her the affection and the proper goodbye she craved.
“Very well. We can return to my ship and depart Earth immediately, if that is your wish.” He picked up the two smaller bags and tossed them over his shoulder, then picked up her suitcase and tucked it under the same arm. He wrapped his free arm around his bride and guided her out of the house.
She paused on the walkway and looked over her shoulder. He stopped with her and shot her an inquisitive look. Had she changed her mind?
“Don’t you need to confiscate the equipment my brother used to create the fake palm print?”
“A Tarrkuan security team will visit in a few days to seize the equipment.”
Alarm filled her eyes. “That sounds ominous. You’re still sure he won’t be charged with any crime or punished in any way?”
It stunned him that she was being so protective of the brother who hadn’t even wanted to visit with her during her last day on Earth. She possessed a good heart, though he wished her family members would show her more care.
“I am certain no action will be taken against Wilson,” Kazzon said confidently. “I had planned to collect the equipment myself, however one of my superiors decided it would be better to use a security team who specializes in confiscating sensitive materials. They will be able to better conduct an investigation into how the palm print tricked our sensors so that we can prevent such an occurrence again. I suspect further security measures will be taken surrounding the retrieval of Tarrkuan brides from Earth. Blood tests will likely be required to verify a bride’s identity in the future.”
She frowned but nodded her acquiescence. “I suppose I understand that, though I feel terribly guilty that Tarrkuan brides will be further poked and prodded all because of me.”